This article discusses how a Florida school is going to implement the integration of iPads throughout the entire school, the challenges they anticipate, and how the iPads will change their mission. The Master's Academy in Oviedo, FL is issuing iPads to 900 students in their high school. They are troubleshooting potential problems like increasing WiFi bandwidth, internet security, and maintaining the school's Christian values related to web surfing. To help ease the burden of additional expenses, parents are going to be required to pay for the insurance. The article also lists 6 "broad" principles and how they will improve student learning.
Adaptability - teaching students how to use technology
Creativity - teaching students how to problem solve in new ways
Collaboration - allowing students to work with other students on projects from other schools
Innovation - provide internet resources to solve problems with new creative solutions
Productivity - providing students with experience working with technology
Ethics - support religious values of the school with appropriate internet usage
I really like this article because it provides a strong model for aspiring schools to integrate technology into their curriculum. As mentioned in the "broad" principles, the outcomes are only limited by the creativity of the teachers and students involved in the projects.
This article talks about accessory items that are suggested to help iPads really take off in your classroom.
Necessary accessories include:
Apple iPad dock connectors ($30) allow iPad users to connect to a projector to improve whole class participation and enables easier viewing.
Optional accessories include:
Foldable keyboard ($100)
Monster iClarity HD speakers ($120) existing speaker setup
Griffin A-Frame iPad Stand ($50) can be avoided with iPad doc connectors
Belkin Leather Folio for iPad ($70) protective case
Particle Case + Pogo Sketch for iPad ($35) case with stylus
Kensington PowerBack Case ($130) protective case that provides continuous power
Obviously there are a lot of handy accessories but they are too costly to purchase as a class set and not necessary in order to effectively use iPads in the classroom. The iPad dock connector is inexpensive, and a must have item that can bring student work to life for the class and can be shared with a computer cart.
Article 3 - Salt Lake Tribune "iPods, iPads gaining traction in Utah classrooms" http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/51714969-183/students-ipads-ipod-devices.html.csp
This article shows how schools in Utah work with iPads at different grade levels and comments on how engaged the students are at various grade levels. iPads are shared in different classrooms and allow students to work at their own level to increase comprehension and helps keep them engaged in learning. Kindergartners spend less than 30 minutes a day playing alphabet games that help them learn the basic letter identification and phonics skills and are excited to see the bright colorful animations when they succeed. Some middle school grades are using them over half of the day to improve student learning during instruction or as anchor activities. In an effort to improve attendance, graduation rates, and federal test scores, Kearns high school allows seniors (that graduate on time) to keep their iPods once the school year ends. Having an iPad allows them to learn a lot more outside of the traditional classroom time. Students can learn at their own pace. Teachers can introduce tiered applications to those that are showing mastery in a skill and move them on to higher learning.
Article 4 - THE JOURNAL "Teachers: Technology Encourages Student Creativity, Makes Teaching Writing Easier" - http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/07/16/teachers-technology-encourages-student-creativity-makes-teaching-writing-easier.aspx
This article takes a look at the opinions of teachers on how technology assisted writing and social networking sites help or hinder the writing process and discusses the pros and cons of using technology in writing. Of the sample of teachers surveyed, they all agree that technology increases a students progress and success in basic writing by demonstrating creativity and self expression, collaboration, and the ability to share your work with a larger audience. Almost 70 percent agreed that they would be more likely to cheat by copying other student or professional work. Teachers also express concerns that technology can "blur the lines between formal and informal writing." LOL One of the most interesting things I read in the article described how students could put their work on blogs or Google docs and have peer editing tools at their disposal to help others with proofreading to improve their own student work and improve their peers writing by offering additional positive critiquing. I feel these types of activities would be a much more fun way to proofread work and help learn writing skills with the use of technology.
Article 5 - Educational Technology and Mobile Learning "Presentation Apps For Your IPad" http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/07/6-free-presentation-apps-for-your-ipad.html
This article talks about how important it is to allow students to produce work in a 21st century classroom by offering reviews on six different apps that allow students multiple ways to show their creativity during classroom presentations. In addition to providing a detailed outline, students can use the presentation apps to entertain their audiences with graphics and supportive text and alleviate pressure often associated with making oral presentations. Students can use the graphic supported text to expand on their understanding of the content by engaging their audience while they elaborate on specific content.
Sliderocket - 3/5 show and share, download for offline, show YouTube videos
Idea Flight - 3/5 show and share, display for large audiences as well as on 30 iPads simultaneously
Slideshark - 4.5/5 show and share, provides analytics to your presentations
Xavier Presentation - 2.5/5 used for advanced interactive presentations shown on multiple iPad devices
SlideGrabber - N/A take photos of the slides with auto-cropping, take notes from slides, organize slides by presentations, and email slide image or save it to the photo library
Prezi Viewer - N/A use it to view and present your prezis with simple, intuitive multitouch gestures
I really look forward to the idea of teaching students how to work with some of these presentation applications. They really make important reading and writing activities like author studies a lot more appealing to work on. Students can research an author, provide specific details to go along with downloaded pictures, and talk about what they've learned on each slide instead of reading a speech off a written/typed paper. The applications can be used in any content area.
This article discusses how a Florida school is going to implement the integration of iPads throughout the entire school, the challenges they anticipate, and how the iPads will change their mission. The Master's Academy in Oviedo, FL is issuing iPads to 900 students in their high school. They are troubleshooting potential problems like increasing WiFi bandwidth, internet security, and maintaining the school's Christian values related to web surfing. To help ease the burden of additional expenses, parents are going to be required to pay for the insurance. The article also lists 6 "broad" principles and how they will improve student learning.
I really like this article because it provides a strong model for aspiring schools to integrate technology into their curriculum. As mentioned in the "broad" principles, the outcomes are only limited by the creativity of the teachers and students involved in the projects.
Article 2 - Scholastic "Making the iPad More School Friendly"
http://blogs.scholastic.com/techtools/2010/10/making-the-ipad-more-school-friendly.html
This article talks about accessory items that are suggested to help iPads really take off in your classroom.
Necessary accessories include:
- Apple iPad dock connectors ($30) allow iPad users to connect to a projector to improve whole class participation and enables easier viewing.
Optional accessories include:- Foldable keyboard ($100)
- Monster iClarity HD speakers ($120) existing speaker setup
- Griffin A-Frame iPad Stand ($50) can be avoided with iPad doc connectors
- Belkin Leather Folio for iPad ($70) protective case
- Particle Case + Pogo Sketch for iPad ($35) case with stylus
- Kensington PowerBack Case ($130) protective case that provides continuous power
Obviously there are a lot of handy accessories but they are too costly to purchase as a class set and not necessary in order to effectively use iPads in the classroom. The iPad dock connector is inexpensive, and a must have item that can bring student work to life for the class and can be shared with a computer cart.Article 3 - Salt Lake Tribune "iPods, iPads gaining traction in Utah classrooms"
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/51714969-183/students-ipads-ipod-devices.html.csp
This article shows how schools in Utah work with iPads at different grade levels and comments on how engaged the students are at various grade levels. iPads are shared in different classrooms and allow students to work at their own level to increase comprehension and helps keep them engaged in learning. Kindergartners spend less than 30 minutes a day playing alphabet games that help them learn the basic letter identification and phonics skills and are excited to see the bright colorful animations when they succeed. Some middle school grades are using them over half of the day to improve student learning during instruction or as anchor activities. In an effort to improve attendance, graduation rates, and federal test scores, Kearns high school allows seniors (that graduate on time) to keep their iPods once the school year ends. Having an iPad allows them to learn a lot more outside of the traditional classroom time. Students can learn at their own pace. Teachers can introduce tiered applications to those that are showing mastery in a skill and move them on to higher learning.
Article 4 - THE JOURNAL "Teachers: Technology Encourages Student Creativity, Makes Teaching Writing Easier" -
http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/07/16/teachers-technology-encourages-student-creativity-makes-teaching-writing-easier.aspx
This article takes a look at the opinions of teachers on how technology assisted writing and social networking sites help or hinder the writing process and discusses the pros and cons of using technology in writing. Of the sample of teachers surveyed, they all agree that technology increases a students progress and success in basic writing by demonstrating creativity and self expression, collaboration, and the ability to share your work with a larger audience. Almost 70 percent agreed that they would be more likely to cheat by copying other student or professional work. Teachers also express concerns that technology can "blur the lines between formal and informal writing." LOL One of the most interesting things I read in the article described how students could put their work on blogs or Google docs and have peer editing tools at their disposal to help others with proofreading to improve their own student work and improve their peers writing by offering additional positive critiquing. I feel these types of activities would be a much more fun way to proofread work and help learn writing skills with the use of technology.
Article 5 - Educational Technology and Mobile Learning "Presentation Apps For Your IPad"
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/07/6-free-presentation-apps-for-your-ipad.html
This article talks about how important it is to allow students to produce work in a 21st century classroom by offering reviews on six different apps that allow students multiple ways to show their creativity during classroom presentations. In addition to providing a detailed outline, students can use the presentation apps to entertain their audiences with graphics and supportive text and alleviate pressure often associated with making oral presentations. Students can use the graphic supported text to expand on their understanding of the content by engaging their audience while they elaborate on specific content.
- Sliderocket - 3/5 show and share, download for offline, show YouTube videos
- Idea Flight - 3/5 show and share, display for large audiences as well as on 30 iPads simultaneously
- Slideshark - 4.5/5 show and share, provides analytics to your presentations
- Xavier Presentation - 2.5/5 used for advanced interactive presentations shown on multiple iPad devices
- SlideGrabber - N/A take photos of the slides with auto-cropping, take notes from slides, organize slides by presentations, and email slide image or save it to the photo library
- Prezi Viewer - N/A use it to view and present your prezis with simple, intuitive multitouch gestures
I really look forward to the idea of teaching students how to work with some of these presentation applications. They really make important reading and writing activities like author studies a lot more appealing to work on. Students can research an author, provide specific details to go along with downloaded pictures, and talk about what they've learned on each slide instead of reading a speech off a written/typed paper. The applications can be used in any content area.Bibliography Page
1
McCrea, B. (2011, April 28). THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education -- THE Journal. THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education -- THE Journal. Retrieved July 17, 2013, from http://thejournal.com
2
Nadel, B. (2010, October 6). Tech Tools: Making the iPad More School Friendly. Classroom Solutions, Top Teaching Ideas in Teacher Blogs | Scholastic.com. Retrieved July 18, 2013, from http://blogs.scholastic.com/techtools/2010/10/making-the-ipad-more-school-friendly.html
3
Schencker, L. (2011, May 10). Utah Local News - Salt Lake City News, Sports, Archive - The Salt Lake Tribune . Utah Local News - Salt Lake City News, Sports, Entertainment, Business - The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2013, from http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/51714969-183/students-ipads-ipod-devices.html.csp
4
Nagel, D. (2013, July 16). Teachers: Technology Encourages Student Creativity, Makes Teaching Writing Easier -- THE Journal. THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education -- THE Journal. Retrieved July 17, 2013, from http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/07/16/teachers-technology-encourages-student-creativity-makes-teaching-writing-easier.aspx
5
6 Free Presentation Apps for your iPad ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. (2012, June 7). Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. Retrieved July 18, 2013, from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/07/6-free-presentation-apps-for-your-ipad.html